The Iowa Women’s Wrestling Program was flawless at this weekend’s prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational, despite losing two games.
Seven future Hawkeyes competed as independents, winning five titles. His other two finished in his second place, losing a close race to his teammate. Combined with Iowa-Unattached, he has an overall record of 36-2.
Sterling Diaz (101), Nayla Valencia (109), Felicity Taylor (116), Nanea Estrella (136) and Reese Laramendi (143) have won titles and are identical twins were the finalists.
The Hawkeyes have passed a crucial test, proving they are capable of contending for the national title next season when they begin the official competitive schedule.
Taylor and Estrella are the only Hawkeyes with previous college experience. Taylor is his three-time NCWWC finalist, McKendry’s his 2021 national champion, and Estrella earlier this year at Menlo’s NAIA Championship where he placed second.
“It was a great first tournament for all of us,” said Taylor. “I am very proud of the girls. It couldn’t get much better than it started.
“For me, it’s great to be back on the mat again. Now I’m back training and preparing for the World Cup. Great day as Hawkeye.”
Complete Iowa Unconnected Results
101: Sterling Diaz (1st), 5-0
Match 1: Tech Fall win over Genesis Martinez (Colorado Mesa University) (TF 11-0)
Match 2: Sterling Dias (Unattached) beats Sage Beltran (Missouri Valley College) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Quarterfinals: Sterling Dias (Unattached) beats Emma Cochran (Grand View) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Semifinals: Sterling Dias (Unattached) beats Ira Navarro (Providence University) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
First place match – Sterling Diaz (not affiliated) beats Emily Gonzalez (not affiliated) by decision (3-1 December)
101: Emily Gonzalez (2nd), 4-1
Game 1: Emily Gonzalez (no attachment) defeats Erin Hikiji (Providence University) by decision (December 6-4)
Match 2: Emily Gonzalez (no attachments) wins over Hannah Michael (Grand View) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Quarterfinals: Emily Gonzalez (no attachment) beats Alaina Sunlin (Iowa Wesleyan) in Techfall (TF 12-2)
Semifinals: Emilie Gonzalez (Unattached) beats Alyssa Quezaire (Missouri Baptist University) in Techfall (TF 10-0)
First Place Match: Sterling Diaz (N.A.) beats Emily Gonzalez (N.A.) by decision (3-1 December)
109: Naira Valencia (1st), 5-0
Match 1: Nyla Valencia (Unattached) beats Laura Lincoln (Missouri Valley College) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Match 2: Nyla Valencia (Unattached) beats Korigan Wilkey (Indiana Tech) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Quarterfinals: Nyla Valencia (Unattached) beats Pauline Granados (McKendree University) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Semifinals: Naira Valencia (no attachment) beats Mia Palumbo (Iowa Wesleyan) by decision (December 6-2)
First Place Match – Nayla Valencia (N.A.) beats Brianna Gonzalez (N.A.) by decision (6-5 December)
109: Briana Gonzalez (2nd), 4-1
Match 1: Brianna Gonzalez (Unattached) beats Kali Christy (University of Saint Mary) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Match 2: Brianna Gonzalez (Unattached) beats Jenavi Alejandro (Tiffin University) in Tech Fall (TF 12-2)
Quarterfinals: Brianna Gonzalez (no attachment) defeats Natalie Reyna Rodriguez (Southern Oregon University) by decision (December 8-4)
Semifinals: Brianna Gonzalez (Unattached) beats Emma Baertlein (Unattached) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
First place play-off: Nayla Valecia (not affiliated) beats Briana Gonzalez (not affiliated) by decision (6-5 December)
116: Felicity Taylor (1st), 6-0
First match: Felicity Taylor (Unattached) beats Shea Reisel (Campbellsville University) in Tech Fall (TF 11-0)
Second Match: Felicity Taylor (Unattached) defeats Chloe Krebsbach (Grand View) to win (Fall 1:44)
Game 3: Felicity Taylor (Attached) beats Elby Villa (Mackendry University) in tech fall (TF 14-0)
Quarterfinals: Felicity Taylor (Unattached) beats Hannah Hall (Central Methodist University) by decision (6-3 December)
Semifinals: Felicity Taylor (Unattached) beats Juliana Diaz (Missouri Baptist University) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
First Place Match: Felicity Taylor (no attachments) beats Ashley Gooman (Providence University) to win (fall 2:26)
136: Nanea Estrella (1st), 6-0
Match 1: Nanea Estrella (Unattached) beats Oliva Flores (Friends University) in Tech Fall (TF 12-0)
Match 2: Nanea Estrella (Unattached) beats Jolynn Harris (Mackendry University) in Tech Fall (TF 12-0)
Match 3: Nanea Estrella (Unattached) beats Kira Phillipa (Texas Women’s University) in Tech Fall (TF 12-0)
Quarterfinals: Nanea Estrella (Unattached) beats Aliyah Yates (University of the Cumberlands) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Semifinals: Nanea Estrella (Unattached) beats Claire DiCugno (Unattached) in a techfall (TF 10-0)
First place match: Nanea Estrella (not affiliated) beats Blanche `Nina` Kemu Makem (Augsburg University) by decision (December 3-3)
143: Reese Laramendi (1st), 6-0
Match 1: Reese Laramendi (no attachment) beats Ashley Palimoo (Midland University) in Techfall (TF 11-0)
Match 2: Reese Larramendy (Unattached) beats Sidney Ramos (Tiffin University) in Tech Fall (TF 10-0)
Match 3: Reese Laramendi (no attachments) wins in Tech Fall over Madison Diaz (Grand View) (TF 10-0)
Quarterfinals: Reese Laramendi (no attachment) wins by decision over Katie Lange (University of Augsburg) (5-4 December)
Semifinals: Reese Laramendi (no attachment) defeats Mare Moller (Texas Wesleyan) by decision (December 12-4)
First place match: Reese Larramendy (Unattached) beats Alexis Gomez (Grand View) in Tech Fall (TF 15-5)
